2019 Offseason Thread

[LofJ]

Kobe Bryant 2.0 aka Jalen Green is destined to wear teal and purple and lead this franchise out of the basement. By then Monk will be a stud and Miles/PJ will bring the toughness this team has lacked for years.

[catch20two]

I personally only want picks or fliers on young players like Exum that could use a change of scenery.

Exum is a bust. His best ability was generating hype playing under the radar against lesser competition and not playing NCAA ball where he would’ve got exposed into a late 1st or 2nd rounder.

[SWedd523]

I don't think we'll be as bad as some people think we'll be. I'm seeing 28-32 wins coming and Bridges/Bacon will look good this year. We will just not be able to hang in as many games as there's no Kemba to keep us competitive and our center situation is just as bad as last year so we'll certainly get beat down inside, miss out on rebounds, lack in blocks, etc.

I see no way this team wins 30 games

[Great]

McDaniels needs Greensboro.

Michael Jordan could be of tremendous help by sharing an approach to the game with McDaniels.

[Great]

The Hornets desperately need consistent shooting.
Franks and Kulbolka can have role.

The Hornets need leadership as well.

Hornets need for the players to play team ball, instead someone trying to be a star.

Long uninteresting season if players try to be the guy.
They can be competitive if they play as a team.

Pass, cut, defend as a team. Be physical.

[Splitta]

This team as currently constructed can not win more than 20 to 25 games unless Bacon and/or Monk take major steps as consistent scorers which is probably not likely. Other than Rozier there are no other decent shooters/scorers on this team. You can run/hustle/defend all you want but if you can't put the ball in the basket, you will not win. Bridges does seem to be a 10 to 14 point per game player that will hustle and get garbage points but his outside shooting is not good yet. Hopefully, PJ will work out as another scorer. Also maybe some of the bad contract guys will actually step up (wishful thinking). This team/city deserves a break!!

[Great]

If Rozier, Bacon, Batum, Bridges, Zeller start -

Bench scoring will the difference between winning 40 games, or 10.

Graham looks ready and able to score.
Martin and his defense can play with Graham.

They have to get scoring and shooting from the backup SF and center.
Kubolka, Hernangomez, Franks

If Washington can be competent, they’ll be competitive.

[Great]

The Hornets need to add another SG/SF in case of injury.

McDaniels would be perfect for the role if he were ready.

Chealy or Perkins can keep things moving as the 3rd PG

[Great]

This would be a heck of an off-season:

Westbrook/Rozier/Chealy
Bacon/Martin/Thornwell
Batum/Kubolka/McDaniels
Bridges/Washington/Williams
Zeller/Hernangomez/Bigby-Williams or Diallo

It would cost them:
Graham, Monk, Biyombo, and Gilchrist

[BlackOutBuzz]

There are some reports out there that the pick we'll get from Boston is top 53 protected; effectively meaning we'll only get it if Boston has a top 8 record. Vegas currently has them at the 9th best odds.

Seems tough but I wouldn't have figured we'd get 36 last year, which required Denver having a top 5 record.

If correct there does seem to be a scenario here where we come out ahead on the pick swap. Just need Boston to finish with a top 8 record with Brooklyn (or New York... lol) a little ahead of them. Unlikely but we're talking picks in the 50s here.

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[LofJ]

We have the Cavs 2nd, a pick 50 or later is small potatoes.

What I want the team to acquire are additional 1st round draft picks.

[predators]

I personally only want picks or fliers on young players like Exum that could use a change of scenery.

Exum is a bust. His best ability was generating hype playing under the radar against lesser competition and not playing NCAA ball where he would’ve got exposed into a late 1st or 2nd rounder.

Probably true. But his contract ends the same year as Batum, and He's still the same age as Graham so I don't really care. I'd prefer to take fliers on a lot of low floor/high ceiling guys & hope one of them figures it out.

[Great]

Cody Martin is essentially Dante Exum.

[316Hornets]

I think the team will outperform expectations, East is still weak at the bottom so guys will have some confidence in beating them. Kemba wasn't able to deliver late, but other guys will have that opportunity now.

[JDR720]

Cody Martin is essentially Dante Exum.

Thats not bad for a 2nd rounder. 7/3/2 although he'll need to have a better FG%

[LofJ]

I think the team will outperform expectations, East is still weak at the bottom so guys will have some confidence in beating them. Kemba wasn't able to deliver late, but other guys will have that opportunity now.

Kemba wasn't able to deliver because no one else on the team had the balls to take big shots other than Lamb, Parker, and Monk. And two of those three couldn't share the court with him.

I highly doubt the team will be any better in end of game situations unless we play Rozier and Monk together and sacrifice defense. I'm not opposed to that though because no one else on the roster can score.

[euphorbus]

Twenty-four pages and, apart from losing two starters to free agency, not a darn thing has happened in the first twelve days of free agency. I though that Mr. Kupchak was at least competent, but now I am having doubts. This team could be monumentally bad next year.

[LofJ]

I just listened to Borrego's summer league interview and he talked a lot about player development. He also specifically mentioned "developing assets." If there were any doubts in your mind before about whether or not this team is rebuilding you can definitely put them to rest.

He also said the thing he likes most about Rozier is his rebounding. He said he wants him to rebound and start transition offense immediately.

[MasterIchiro]

I just listened to Borrego's summer league interview and he talked a lot about player development. He also specifically mentioned "developing assets." If there were any doubts in your mind before about whether or not this team is rebuilding you can definitely put them to rest.

He also said the thing he likes most about Rozier is his rebounding. He said he wants him to rebound and start transition offense immediately.

It confirms that we will likely see a continuation of the final stretch of games. Batum will not be playing 38 minutes. Marvin will ride the bench with him. And MKG won't get any of Miles' minutes nor PJ's. Monk will be on the court with the starters more often. Monk will be closing games more often. Graham gets all the backup PG minutes. Biz should go shopping for street clothes.

These are all positive changes that shift the team away from the one that imploded and cost us Kemba.

Wouldn't it be something if the team is .500 at the deadline, out of the running for a high pick and in a position to acquire Adams and Hardaway Jr. - players of that ilk?

I think their off-season is done and they will go into the new season with renewed focus on development. It should be interesting to see if Kupchak can flip expirings for small assets like second rounders. I don't think he will take on players with more than 2 years owed. The plan should be to ride out Batum.

[MPM]

Cody Martin is essentially Dante Exum.

Thats not bad for a 2nd rounder. 7/3/2 although he'll need to have a better FG%

Funny... watching him in SL, I was picking up MCW vibes. Similar physicality - a bit scattered and always seems to be in recovery mode on D. A half step behind the action. Plus, an awkward layup or three. Hey, if he peaks as MCW with a three ball, can't ask for much more, but still far better options available.